OPINION: Bring clarity to mug shots

In 40 states, police mug shots are available to the media. But not in New Jersey, where the policy and guidelines regarding mug shots are so vague and confusing that even county prosecutors are often befuddled by the rules, as an article in Friday's Asbury Park Press made clear.

It's time for Gov. Chris Christie, in the spirit of the Open Public Records Act, to issue an executive order that clearly and succinctly directs prosecutors to release mug shots routinely. There is no justification for treating them any differently than a suspect's name, arrest information and charges - details that are routinely released to the media by prosecutors.

The Press' policy is to always ask for photos of suspects as a way to better inform the public about crimes. Our efforts are often stymied by officials who still consider mug shots as confidential as fingerprint cards. Yet, according to Peter Aseltine, spokesman for the state Division of Criminal Justice, there is nothing prohibiting their release. It is left to the discretion of the investigating agency.

That discretion is exercised differently in different parts of the state. Prosecutors in Essex and Bergen counties leave it up to the local police departments. In Monmouth County, acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni treats mug shots as if they were state secrets. Last month, he sent a memo to local law enforcement agencies telling them they cannot release mug shots without his office's permission.

Michel A. Paulhus, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, says even counties lack discretion: "It isn't that we don't want to release mug shots," he said. "It's that we're not allowed to based on the guidelines. That's the way that we interpret it." Apparently, he needs to have a conversation with Aseltine.

Some prosecutors say they are reluctant to release suspects' photographs for fear that publishing them might taint a prospective jury pool. That's nonsense. It's a lame justification for not releasing mug shots, not a compelling legal argument. Those who may have seen the photo, as with those who may be familiar with the case through news accounts, can be dismissed through the juror interview process.

Christie, as a former prosecutor, must recognize that the arguments made to keep the public in the dark are tissue-thin and disrespectful to citizens. As governor, he has touted the virtues of transparency and open government. Here's an opportunity for him to do something tangible. He should, without delay, issue an executive order clearly stating that mug shots must be made available to the public and the press.

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OPINION: Bring clarity to mug shots

In 40 states, police mug shots are available to the media.

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